Corner shelving unit

ABSTRACT

The present invention is an improved shelving unit which is ideally suited for mounting in the corner of a room. The shelving unit includes comprising a first shelf comprising a substantially pentagonal flat shelf having a front edge, a first and second side edge and a first and second rear edge. The two rear edges are at right angles to each other to form a first corner, the first corner being opposite the front edge. The front edge and the first side edge forming a second corner, the front edge and second side edge forming a third corner, the first side edge and the first rear edge forming a right angled forth corner and the second side edge and the second rear edge forming a right angled fifth corner. The shelving unit further includes a rectangular second shelf having a first edge and four corners, the second shelf being mounted adjacent to and parallel with the first shelf, the first edge of the second shelf abutting one of the side edges of the first shelf. The shelving unit also includes a plurality of vertical columns for supporting the shelves, each vertical column supporting one of the corners of the first and second shelves.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to modular shelving.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Free standing shelving is a widely available in a variety of sizes. In a vast majority of cases, the shelving units generally consist of a series of rectangular shelves which are stacked one atop the other by means of supporting legs or columns to form a free standing shelf. In almost every case, each corner of each shelf is supported by a column in order to maximize the stability of the finished shelving unit. This free standing shelving unit is then generally positioned against the wall. In rooms which are relatively small, it is advantageous to position some of the shelves in a corner. This generally requires two shelving units to be brought together in an L shaped pattern in order to take advantage of the space available in the corner. Constructing an L shaped shelving unit from rectangular shelves support at each corner by a column necessarily means that a column will be positioned right in the corner of the L shaped unit. The presence of a column right in the corner of the shelving unit greatly restricts access to the corner space of the unit. As a result, large bulky objects are difficult to position in the corner space of the shelving unit since the corner column blocks access to the space. The alternative approach is to remove the corner column, which has the effect of rendering the corner unit less stable. An improved corner shelving unit which is both highly stable and which permits free access to the corner space is therefore required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a shelving unit for use in the corner of the room. The shelving unit includes comprising a first shelf comprising a substantially pentagonal flat shelf having a front edge, a first and second side edge and a first and second rear edge. The two rear edges are at right angles to each other to form a first corner, the first corner being opposite the front edge. The front edge and the first side edge forming a second corner, the front edge and second side edge forming a third corner, the first side edge and the first rear edge forming a right angled forth corner and the second side edge and the second rear edge forming a right angled fifth corner. The shelving unit further includes a rectangular second shelf having a first edge and four corners, the second shelf being mounted adjacent to and parallel with the first shelf, the first edge of the second shelf abutting one of the side edges of the first shelf. The shelving unit also includes a plurality of vertical columns for supporting the shelves, each vertical column supporting one of the corners of the first and second shelves.

With the foregoing in view, and other advantages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates as this specification proceeds, the invention is herein described by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, which includes a description of the preferred typical embodiment of the principles of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. is a top view of a corner shelf made in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2. is a top view of a prior art corner shelving unit.

FIG. 3. is a top view of a corner shelving unit made in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4. is a perspective view of a corner shelving unit made in accordance with the present invention.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring firstly to FIG. 2, prior art corner shelving units, shown generally as item 10 consisted of a series of rectangular shelves 12, 14 and 16 which were supported by columns 18 and 20. Shelves 12, 14 and 16 are mounted to the columns by means known generally in the art such as bolts, hooks or the like. Corner space 22 is formed on shelf 14. Unfortunately, access to space 22 is obstructed by column 20. In order to place an item into corner 22, the item (not shown) would have to be inserted either between columns 20 and 18 a or between columns 20 and 18 b. If the item is bulky or awkward, it can be difficult to maneuver the item in order to place it into corner 22.

By way of contrast, FIG. 3 illustrates a corner shelving unit made in accordance with the present invention. The corner shelving unit of the present invention, shown generally as item 24 consists of a corner shelf 30 and rectangular shelves 26 and 28. Shelves 30, 26 and 28 are supported by columns 32, 34, 36 and 38. Shelves 26 and 28 are rectangular shelves, while shelf 30 is preferably a pentagonal shelf having sides 40, 41, 42, 46 and 48. Preferably, the width of sides 41 and 42 are identical to the widths of shelves 28 and 26, respectively. More preferably, the width of shelves 41 and 42 are equal. Side 40 is supported by columns 36. Since columns 36 are separated by the width of side 40, corner space 44 is readily accessible through the space between columns 36. Columns 36 do not block access to space 44. Preferably, side 40 is as least as wide as sides 41 and 42 to permit easy access to corner space 44. Sides 42 and 41 are preferably straight so that the sides abut closely with shelves 26 and 28, respectively.

Referring now to FIG. 1, shelf 30 is a substantially flat pentagonal member having side edges 40, 41, 42, 46 and 48 and flat surface 60. Side edges 46 and 48 form a right angled corner 55 which is ideal for placing in the corner of a room (not shown). Side edge 40 may be referred to as a front side edges since it is intended to be positioned away the corner of the room. Side edge 40 is opposite corner 55. Reinforcing rim or skirt 62 extends circumferentially around the sides in order to provide the shelf with increased stiffness. Each of the corners formed by edges 40, 41, 42, 46 and 48 are provided with attachment means for attaching the corners to a support column. The attachment means may comprise a hook fastener, bolts or any other means suitable for mounting to the column. Preferably the attachment means comprise apertures 50, 52, 54, 56 and 58 which are provided at the corners of the shelf to provide attachment points for the support columns. Side edges 42 and 46 are at a right angle to each other to form corner 53 and side edges 41 and 48 are at a right angle to each other to form corner 57. Preferably, side edges 42 and 41 are straight; however, side edge 40 may be curved either outwardly or inwardly in order optimize the surface area of surface 60. Preferably, side edges 42 and 40 are at an obtuse angle to each other to form corner 51 and side edges 41 and 40 are at an obtuse angle to form corner 49. In the particular embodiment shown in the figures, shelf 30 is made of steel wire; however, the shelf may be made from any suitable material such as plastic, steel or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the present invention has many advantages over the prior art. Firstly, the shelving unit can easily be inserted into a corner of a room because side edges 46 and 48 are at right angles to each other so that corner 55 fits in close against the walls (not shown). Also, items can easily be inserted deep into corner space 44 because columns 36 are spaced apart, permitting easy access to the corner space. Finally, providing two columns 36 actually makes for a stronger and stiffer shelving unit.

A specific embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed; however, several variations of the disclosed embodiment could be envisioned as within the scope of this invention. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A shelf for use in constructing a shelving unit wherein the shelf is support by a plurality of vertical columns, the shelf comprising: a) a substantially pentagonal flat shelf having a front edge, a first and second side edge and a first and second rear edge, the two rear edges being at right angles to each other to form a first corner, the first corner being opposite the front edge; b) the front edge and the first side edge forming a second corner, the front edge and second side edge forming a third corner, the first side edge and the first rear edge forming a right angled forth corner and the second side edge and the second rear edge forming a right angled fifth corner, c) the first, second, third, forth and fifth corners each having an aperture for receiving one of the vertical columns.
 2. The shelving unit of claim 1 wherein the shelf has a reinforcing skirt portion extending peripherally along the front edge, the first and second side edges and the first and second rear edges.
 3. A shelving unit comprising: a) a first shelf comprising a substantially pentagonal flat shelf having a front edge, a first and second side edges and first and second rear edges, the two rear edges being at right angles to each other to form a first corner, the first corner being opposite the front edge the front edge and the first side edge forming a second corner, the front edge and second side edge forming a third corner, the first side edge and the first rear edge forming a right angled forth corner and the second side edge and the second rear edge forming a right angled fifth corner, b) a second shelf, said second shelf being rectangular and having a first edge and four corners, the second shelf being mounted adjacent to and substantially parallel with the first shelf, the first edge of the second shelf abutting the first side edge of the first shelf, and c) a plurality of vertical columns for supporting the first and second shelves by supporting the corners of the first and second shelves.
 4. The shelving unit of claim 3 wherein the first edge of the second shelf and the first side edge of the first shelf are substantially equivalent in length.
 5. The shelving unit of claim 3 wherein the first, second, third, forth and fifth corners of the first shelf each have a column mounting member for mounting the corner to a column.
 6. The shelving unit of claim 5 wherein the corners of the second shelf each have a mounting member for mounting the corner to a column.
 7. The shelving unit of claim 3 wherein the first shelf further comprises a reinforcing skirt extending perpendicularly along the edges of the first shelf.
 8. The shelving unit of claim 6 wherein the mounting member comprises an aperture formed in the corner dimensioned for receiving the column.
 9. A shelf for use in constructing a shelving unit having shelves support by a plurality of vertical columns, the shelf comprising: a) a substantially pentagonal flat shelf having a front edge, a first and second side edge and a first and second rear edge, the two rear edges being at right angles to each other to form a first corner, the first corner being opposite the front edge; b) the front edge and the first side edge forming a second corner, the front edge and second side edge forming a third corner, the first side edge and the first rear edge forming a right angled forth corner and the second side edge and the second rear edge forming a right angled fifth corner, c) the first, second, third, forth and fifth edges each having mounting means for mounting the corner to one of the vertical columns.
 10. The shelf of claim 9 further comprising a reinforcing skirt extending peripherally along the edges of the shelf. 